Trump threatens 'massive attack' on Iran that will be 'bigger than ever before'

Following the twelfth consecutive day of U.S. military strikes on Wednesday, President Trump announced today that he is considering a major intensification of combat operations against Iran.

The president told Axios that he is “considering a massive attack” on Iran, saying it would be “bigger than ever before.”

“I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it,” Trump told Axios reporter Barak Ravid.

Speaking to reporters at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ 2026 annual summit in Manila, Philippines, Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized Trump’s military approach toward Tehran as a “head for an eye.”

This observation was made in response to a threat from Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian Foreign Minister, who stated that Tehran’s defense strategy against the U.S. was an “eye for an eye.”

Meanwhile, the president noted that the U.S. does not “need anybody” to carry out a potential subsequent attack, though he asserted that Israel would join the new military operations “in two minutes if I ask them to.”

Israel and the U.S. had previously co-launched the initial strikes of the conflict on February 28.

“The president’s policy is an eye for an eye,” Rubio said. “I mean, honestly, that’s what it’s going to be. I mean, they [Iran] will pay a very heavy price for the things they’re doing.”

According to U.S. Central Command, Wednesday evening marked the 12th straight day of U.S. military operations targeting Tehran. This occurs amid mutual allegations from both nations regarding violations of the ceasefire established under a recent memorandum of understanding.

During a brief interview with Axios, Trump noted that although Iran has expressed interest in negotiations, it is currently unprepared to reach an agreement. “They haven’t received enough pain yet,” Trump remarked, while recognizing that any final choice would carry significant ramifications and clarifying that a definitive path has not yet been chosen.

No timeline has been established by Trump for this resolution, and two U.S. officials who corroborated the situation stated that no final decisions have been made or fresh military directives issued.

Amidst these growing tensions, crude oil prices have surged past $100 a barrel, even as a potential regression into a full-scale military conflict remains deeply unpopular among the American public.​